Hiroshi Yamauchi, the FORMER Ms owner died. Some local media are reporting him as the "owner". He saved the team and ran them through the glory years until transferring control to Nintendo of America Inc in 04. I'm not sure what effect this will have on the eternally pathetic Ms. The link below has it right: "At this time, any speculation as to how his passing would affect the current state of ownership with of the Mariners would be extremely premature and irresponsible."